Procurement failures

Sergeant Steven Roberts was killed in Iraq on the 24th of March 2003. Due to equipment shortages, he was asked to give up his enhanced body armour, just before he died.

The government had been warned as early as September 2001 of inadequate supplies, but did not order more until December 2002. Senior officers privately complained that the delays were because the government wanted to look like they were pursuing the diplomatic course.

Sergeant Roberts was failed, and the board of enquiry concluded yesterday that had the soldier been wearing the body armour he would have survived. Despite this damming indictment, I don’t expect any politicians to be held accountable, or to do the honourable thing, though there will be the superficial “expressions of regret” of course.

Today, three more soldiers were killed in Helmand following an ambush with RPG’s and machine guns. No doubt they were in the useless Landrovers. If we expect our guys to go into action, we need to give them armoured personnel carriers (proof against RPG’s) and adequate air cover. They have neither.

Three more deaths due to insufficient equipment.

No on-one will resign just more lies and bullshit expressions of regret. There are no words to express my contempt for the lying weasel politicians who send brave men to their futile deaths.